Top 50 Films of the Decade (#20-#11)

20. Frozen River (2008)

Winner of the Sundance film festival, this movie sneaks up and sticks with you forever.  Melissa Leo has been working for years, but her performance here finally garnered the kind of attention she has deserved all along.  It also has a brilliantly spare screenplay that never hits a false note because every moment is necessary.

19. Ratatouille (2007)

Pixar never shies away from a challenge, as is evidenced by this utterly original and gutsy tale of Remy, a rat chef in Paris.  When I first heard about the plot, I thought to myself they must be crazy.  Crazy, sure…and brilliant.  This goes to show audiences are eager to see new and fresh ideas.

18. Doubt (2008)

A virtual master class in acting, this film should be studied by thespians for generations.  Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Viola Davis make up the strongest ensemble of actors I have ever seen in a movie.  That none of them won an Oscar should be a huge embarrassment for the Academy.

17. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007)

Sidney Lumet proves with this picture that you are never too old to keep making masterpieces, like many of his colleagues who rest solely on their previous laurels.  This ranks up there with his very best, which is considerable given his best includes the classics Network, Dog Day Afternoon, The Verdict and 12 Angry Men.

16. The Polar Express (2004)

Okay, the motion capture is a wee bit creepy at times; however, it’s the story that matters and this one needed to be told.  And when it comes to storytelling, there is hardly anyone better than Robert Zemeckis.  This crowd pleaser is both majestic and intimate, making it a Christmas classic that will stand the test of time.

15. Man on Wire (2008)

Anyone who needs a reminder that anything is possible needs to witness the joie-de-vivre of Philippe Petit as he proudly recalls the momentous achievement of walking a tight rope between the twin towers of the World Trade Center.  It’s riveting, suspenseful and all together life affirming.

14. Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Ang Lee’s romantic tragedy about two cowboys in love is one of the most gut wrenching movies I have ever seen.  My heart breaks merely thinking about the film, especially Heath Ledger’s stolid face as he realizes his true love has gone forever.  It’s not always easy to watch, but it’s a triumph in every way.

13. Julie & Julia (2009)

Nora Ephron rarely gets the credit she deserves, especially considering she’s one of the funniest women working today.  After a string of fantastic movies over the past two decades, she came out swinging with her finest achievement to date.  It’s more than a story about food (and it certainly is that!), but a loving examination on how a complete stranger has the ability to be an inspiration to another.

12. Into the Wild (2007)

Sean Penn directed this mesmerizing drama about one man and the wilderness.  It takes a lot of courage to tell a story that relies so heavily on one actor (who spends virtually the whole movie alone), but thankfully Emile Hirsch was up the challenge.  It’s an exhausting journey, spiked with many emotional payoffs.

11. The Visitor (2008)

Sometimes slow and steady wins the race, as in this searing examination of the US immigration system and its effect on Americans and immigrants alike.  Richard Jenkins received his long overdue shot at a leading film role and knocked it out of the park with barely more than the look in his eye and subtle nod of his head.